1. Don't Just Take It from Us

Killers frontman Brandon Flowers on his favorite piece of clothing

With any new album, I try to listen to the music that's coming out of me and then represent it with what I'm wearing. For the look for my new solo album, my denim jacket made sense to me: We're out here living in the desert, in the Wild West, in Las Vegas. And these songs have that dust on them. The jacket is an Alexander McQueen I bought at Selfridges in London five years ago. I've worn it 90 percent of the days over the last five years, so it's molded to me and worn out in all the right places. I guess I have a love affair going on with it."

Photo: Eric Ray Davidson

2/5

2. Get the Right Denim Jacket

...And you won't look like a honky-tonker or a Hells Angel

Nail the fit

See how snugly this jacket fits? The torso should hit right at your waist, the armholes should be cut high, and the sleeves should reach just below your wrists.

Jacket, $435, by Rag Bone. Sweater by Gucci. Chinos by Dsquared2.

Photo: Eric Ray Davidson

3/5

3. Cheat time

When done this well, pre-broken-in jackets can look like you've owned 'em for years. But avoid stone washes, ridiculous tints, or too many holes and frays.

Jacket, $325, by Nudie Jeans. Shirt by Band of Outsiders.

Photo: Eric Ray Davidson

4/5

4. Tie it up

A generation ago, nobody would've worn a tie with a jean jacket. But you can—especially if you keep the tie skinny and the jacket dark and crisp.

Jacket, $80, by Gap 1969. Shirt by DG. Tie by John Varvatos.

Photo: Lucy Hamblin

5/5

5. Go Raw, Dog!

A hard denim jacket gets softer, grittier—better—with age

As with jeans, the jean jackets that wear the best over time are made of unwashed, undistressed denim. Check out the two shown here. Twenty years ago, believe it or not, the worn one on the right looked exactly like the brand-new one on the left. We borrowed the old one from Levi's employee Brett Anderson, who stole it from his parents in '95 or '96. Says Anderson, "Now it's torn, frayed, and totally one of a kind."—WILL WELCH

Trucker jacket by Levi's, $98. Where to Buy It? Go to GQ.com/go/fashiondirectories

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